CN1239216C

CN1239216C - Set of golf clubs

Info

Publication number: CN1239216C
Application number: CNB028046544A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·法戈; D·E·罗伯茨; L·普安斯诺
Original assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Co Inc
Current assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-07
Filing date: 2002-02-07
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-07
Also published as: EP1230955A1; US20020107087A1; FR2820330A1; AU2002237364B2; KR20030074731A; CA2434885A1; US20070032308A1; US20040204263A1; TWI230083B; CN1511055A; JP2004531298A; WO2002062428A1; FR2820330B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of iron golf clubs, each club comprising a head (1), the rear face of which is provided with a cavity (4) defined by walls, namely at least one lower wall (7) forming the base and an upper wall (13). Said upper wall (13) comprises several faces, namely a rear face (16), an upper face (14), a lower face (15), which faces onto the cavity (4), and lateral faces (17, 18). Said invention is characterised in that the head of several clubs in the set has at least one groove (20, 23) disposed in the upper wall (13) and opening into one face of said upper wall (13) away from the upper (14) and lower (15) faces. Furthermore, the volume of the groove(s) and/or the position of the groove(s) in the upper wall (13) of the head varies from one club to another such that the position of the centre of gravity of the head varies from one club to another.

Description

The golf clubs group

Technical field

The present invention relates to art of golf.It relates more specifically to the bar head of the golf clubs of this " iron " type.More specifically say so at the iron with a back cavity, the geometry of this iron has been optimized Mass Distribution and has been guaranteed the good quality that impacts simultaneously.

Background technology

Generally speaking, golf clubs is called as " iron ", and its head is made by casting or forging metal.This iron club head all has the flat surface that impacts, and the gradient that impacts the surface that this is flat changes along with number number of the iron in this group.Therefore that have lower number is 1-4, and the iron that is also referred to as " Long Irons " does not have the gradient the same with the iron that is called " Shot Irons " with respect to this vertical portion, and this " Shot Irons " have high number number in this group, promptly 8,9 and PW.

One of the target of improving the deviation of an iron is the weight of distributing this bar head at the periphery place around this center that impacts the surface.The center (being also referred to as " sweet spot ") that impacts the surface corresponding to desirable shock zone is wide more, then centers on the many more of perimeter weight distribution.

Why Here it is has proposed the club of certain number, and wherein this bar head has a rear cavity that is limited by a plurality of walls that extend back at the rear portion that impacts the surface.Can also hold a plurality of ornamental or functional elements as subsidiary this cavity of problem.

In limiting a plurality of walls of this rear cavity, this lower wall has constituted so-called " bottom ", the lower surface of this lower wall when impacting towards ground.This cavity is also limited by a upper wall, and when the people who plays golf prepared to impact ball, he was put in this upper wall in its visual field.This cavity is also limited by two sidewalls, and the first side wall is positioned on the side of the bar head that is connected with shaft, is also referred to as " bar head heel ", and second wall is positioned on the opposite side, is commonly referred to as " bar head toe ".This group wall that limits this cavity is commonly referred to as " periphery ".

The outer rim shape of this peripheral shape is in some quality of this head of this periphery punishment cloth, therefore widened this " sweet spot " sweet spot and increased the deviation of accuracy.

Proposed to give this periphery specific shape, being used for particularly further improving Mass Distribution by the quality that increases the lower wall that constitutes this bottom, and the part of correspondence is improved Mass Distribution by the quality of minimizing upper wall.Therefore document US 5048834 is described a kind of golf clubs, and this club has rear cavity, and lower wall that wherein should periphery has the ledge towards the inside of this cavity, and therefore this cavity has increased the bottom quality of this bar head.This solution has increased the weight of the bottom of this bulb, and its shortcoming is to make this to impact the central area hardening on surface, has therefore also reduced this " sweet spot " sweet spot, therefore causes the only common result aspect deviation.

In document US 5437456, proposed to impact the rear portion on surface,, these walls have been caved at the join domain place that a plurality of walls of this periphery are connected with the bottom of this cavity at this.This solution has reduced close this and has impacted the bar head quality of surface, so that the part of this quality is setovered more to the back that this impacts the surface.This bar head described in the document comprises that also some lead to the groove of the upper and lower surface of this bar head.These grooves are formed in this upper wall, the significant interval between lower wall and the sidewall.The defective of this solution is because the appearance of these grooves makes this periphery weaken.Therefore separated rear wall also has bigger vibration tendency, and this can constitute overslaugh to the people that plays golf.In addition, be positioned at groove on the upper surface of this bar head and can be played the people of golf and see, and visually cause interference.

Target of the present invention provides a kind of bulb of golf clubs, this bulb allows to guarantee in the Mass Distribution at this periphery center simultaneously and has considered to constitute the lower wall of bar head bottom, kept the width of sweet spot preferably simultaneously, so that guarantee good deviation.Importantly all optimize this Mass Distribution any iron in this serial iron in addition.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides the golf clubs group of a kind of " iron " type, each club has a bar head, described bar head has a posterior face, described posterior face has the cavity of the outer perimeter that is limited by a plurality of walls, described a plurality of wall is at least one lower wall and a upper wall of forming the bottom, described upper wall has a plurality of surfaces, an i.e. rear surface, one upper surface, one lower surface and some side surfaces in the face of this cavity, wherein, a plurality of clubs of described group have the bar head, this bar head has the groove that at least one is implemented in this upper wall, this groove leads to the single surface of described upper wall, and away from this upper surface and lower surface, and in this bar group, this groove in the upper wall of this bar head or the volume of these grooves and/or position change for different clubs, so that the position of centre of gravity of each bar head also is different for different clubs.

This upper wall has a plurality of surfaces, i.e. rear surface, a upper surface, one with this cavity opposing lower surface and some side surfaces.

According to the present invention, the bar head feature that a plurality of golf clubs of this group have is as follows: this bar head has the groove that at least one is made in upper wall, and leads to the single surface of described upper wall in the outside of this upper and lower surface.

In other words, the upper wall that defines this cavity is had groove so that reduce the weight on this top.Therefore, the Mass Distribution in this periphery is preferentially carried out at lower wall.By leading to a single wall, this feature groove this periphery that do not weaken.

Groove in this upper wall is can a plurality of somes place open-minded, and except upper surface, this makes that groove can be not in sight in the people's who plays golf the visual field, so that can be not disturbed when he prepares and impacts.

Therefore, perhaps these feature grooves can lead to this bar head upper wall posterior face or replacedly lead to the lateral surface of this wall, promptly lead to the lateral surface of this bar head.

In other words, the opening of these grooves is arranged on the rear portion of this bar head or these sides one.

If this groove leads to the lateral surface of this bar head, then for about being positioned near the manufacturing issue of the lateral surface this bar head toe, such opening is towards being preferred.

If this feature groove is open-minded towards the single surface of this upper wall, then they can adopt some very various shapes.Therefore, this groove can be elongated along the main direction of this upper wall.In other words, when relating to this groove when the posterior face of this upper wall is opened, the opening of this groove has a bigger size, and this size is roughly parallel to this upper wall, perhaps when this upper wall is not straight line, the less radian of this size and this upper wall paste and.

When this groove is implemented as when making that this groove leads to the lateral surface of bar head of this club, then in the actual (real) thickness of this wall, is parallel to the upper and lower surface of this upper wall and is parallel to this and impact and leave this groove outwardly.

In a specific embodiment, this groove can be cylindric, when this groove leads to the posterior face of this upper wall or its sidewall, comes to this.In this case, for example can be by milling, the machined of drilling or directly implement this groove by injection.

Filled by earth for fear of this groove, perhaps filled by any material that other will change Mass Distribution, preferably this groove is filled with low density material, and a cellular (foamed) polyurethane for example is so that prevent the intervention of foreign body.This packing material is chosen to make it that influence that is difficult for discovering is arranged for this Mass Distribution.

In the practice preferably the volume of this groove be between the 0.4%-0.5% of volume of this bar head.The volume of this groove can be understood as such material volume, and this material must be injected in this groove, so that this upper wall has the outer shape of a rule.This is corresponding to the volume of removing from this upper wall and being placed on this lower wall, thereby has reduced the center of gravity of this bar head.

For the practice of golf, the people of this object for appreciation golf has the iron of one group of different characteristic.Usually being useful on number number that long distance impacts is the Long Irons of 1-4, and number number is that the middle iron of 5-7 and number number are 8,9 and the Shot Irons that is used for accurately impacting of PW.

According to the present invention, the volume of this groove of pars intramuralis or these grooves and/or its position are also different for different clubs on this bar head, so that the position of centre of gravity of this bar head is also different along with different clubs.These geometric properties change along identical direction in this group.

Therefore in a special preferred embodiment, the socket distance separating of this groove or these grooves and bar neck bar head can be increased or reduce along with number number of this club.By the distance of these grooves, be understood to be in relation to the distance of the center of gravity of this groove of axis of this shaft or these groove combination with respect to this bar neck.

Therefore in the first bar group, this distance increases along with number number of club.In other words, from the Long Irons to the Shot Irons, the shaft of this club and the distance that the feature groove separates have been increased.Because this increase and constant groove volume, these the shortest irons have the less moment of inertia with respect to shaft.

On the contrary, in another bar group, this distance can reduce along with number number of this club.That is to say, the shaft of this club and the distance that the feature groove separates have been reduced from the Long Irons to the Shot Irons.Because this increase and constant groove volume, the relative Shot Irons of center of gravity that these the longest irons have is lowered, because from the bar neck, the upper wall of this bar head has gradient from top to bottom.

In the modification of another embodiment, the volume of all these grooves can be increased along with number number of this club or reduce, and promptly the cumulative volume of this groove can change between Long Irons and Shot Irons.The change of this volume can obtain by the change of depth of groove, perhaps by increase these grooves towards the lip-deep opening of this wall also can obtain well.

If this groove is horizontal and open-minded towards the lateral surface of this bar head, then this groove can be darker or more shallow.

In improved another modification of the effect that has comprised these feature grooves, these grooves are quantitatively along with reducing at the total club number of this bar group.Promptly the quantity of this groove reduces from the Long Irons to the Shot Irons.

In another modification, the distance with respect to these grooves of the upper face of upper wall can change in this bar group just.Be these grooves can be positioned at upper wall in upper wall differing heights place, thereby influence the position of the nose heave heart of bar.

Description of drawings

By means of accompanying drawing, the advantage that from the description of subsequently embodiment, will draw embodiments of the present invention and draw thus, accompanying drawing comprises:

Fig. 1 is the rearview according to the bar head of the golf clubs of first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is the cross sectional view along Fig. 1 of planar I I-II;

Fig. 3 is the vertical view of the bar head of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is the rear view according to the bar head of second embodiment;

Fig. 5 is the rear view according to the bar head of the 3rd embodiment;

Fig. 6 is the right side view of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is the vertical view of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 a, 8b and 8c are the rear view of three bar heads of same club group, have different number numbers;

Fig. 9 a, 9b and 9c are the rear view that belongs to three bar heads of the second club group; With

Figure 10 a, 10b and 10c are the rear view that belongs to according to three bar heads of the 3rd club group of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Just as has been described, the present invention relates to the bar head of the golf clubs of " iron " type.Integral body as illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, a such bar head 1 comprise one be used in conjunction with the bar neck 2 of shaft and take place with pellet impact impact surface 3.

At the rear portion of this bar head 1, this bar head 1 comprises a cavity 4, and its bottom 5 is positioned at the rear portion that this impacts surface 3.This cavity 4 is limited by side direction by a periphery 6, and this periphery is made of a plurality of different walls.

More particularly, this periphery 6 comprises the lower wall 7 that constitutes this bar head bottom, the lower surface 8 of this lower wall 7 when bump towards ground.This periphery 6 also comprises two sidewalls 9,10, and the inner surface 11,12 of this sidewall 9,10 is towards this cavity 4.This periphery 6 also comprises a upper wall 13.This upper wall 13 comprises a plurality of surfaces, that is:

One is arranged in the upper surface 14 in its visual field when the people who plays golf impacts ball,

One lower surface 15 towards these cavity 4 orientations,

One is roughly parallel to this impacts the surface and towards the posterior face 16 of the back planar orientation of this bar head,

Some are positioned at the lateral surface 17,18 of the boundary with this lateral sidewall 9,10.

This upper wall 13 comprises that one or more opens the groove in its thickness.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-3, these grooves 20-23 leads to the posterior face 16 of this upper wall 13.The shape that these grooves 20-23 has can (promptly along general horizontal direction) be elongated on the length dimension direction of this upper wall 13.

As shown in Figure 1, a groove 21 has the width 1 and one and this direction height h of meeting at right angles and measuring in the main direction of this upper wall 13.

The wall 25,26 of this groove 21 positioned opposite to each other roughly is parallel, perhaps adopts a similar radian.The general shape of the opening of this groove 20-23 can be rectangle, and is trapezoidal, perhaps puts it briefly more, has some ends according to the slightly rounded of employed instrument or mould acquisition.

As shown in Figure 2, each groove 20-23 makes in the inside of this upper wall 13, and its degree of depth is P, and this degree of depth P can be expressed as the 10-90% of the thickness e of this wall in the zone of being considered.Three parameter width l, height h and degree of depth P have roughly determined the volume of this groove.According to the quantity of material that expectation is removed, this volume can be by each parameter l of change, h, and p adjusts.

The position of each groove 20-23 and size can be adjusted so that optimally alleviate the weight of this upper wall, so that change the Mass Distribution of these periphery 6 inside.Therefore for the gross weight of bar head at the 200-300 gram, the removed quantity of material that is used to form this groove group is the order of magnitude of 0.8-2 gram.

Certainly, the present invention is not defined as the form of implementation shown in this accompanying drawing 1-3, and in this form of implementation, the groove number is 4, but the present invention has also covered modification, wherein this number from 1 to more than 10.

The shape of groove also is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 1, but has covered modification shown in Figure 4, and wherein these grooves 30 roughly are cylinders, for example implement by drilling.

The diameter phi of these grooves 30 and quantity can be adjusted according to being desirably in the quantity of material of removing in this upper wall 13.Certainly, the opening of each groove can adopt other shape, and is for example oval, circular cone or other.

Therefore, these grooves of implementing like this in this upper wall 13 have reduced its quality, and have changed the axis 19 of relative this shaft and/or with respect to the position of centre of gravity of the bottom surface 8 of bar head bottom 7.This has caused the change with respect to the axis inertia of this shaft, and this causes having increased hit energy.Also find to have improved flight path by changing height of C.G..

As previously mentioned, this feature groove can be according to for example embodiment production shown in Fig. 5-7 of other embodiment.Therefore, groove 33 side direction shown in Figure 5 are open-minded to the lateral surface 17 of this upper wall 13.Especially, the opening 34 of this groove 33 is being circular when recess axis 35 is watched.This groove 33 can be by drilling or milling production.Because the reason of producing is preferably cylindric, but can also take different shapes.

The effect of this groove 33 can be changed by the quantity of material that changes its volume and remove from this upper wall 13.Or rather, roughly by the area of its length L and its opening 34, promptly the diameter of its opening determines the volume of this groove 33.The position of the groove 33 in this upper wall can also be by slightly modified.Therefore, this groove 33 can be slightly near or impact the lower surface 15 of surface 3 and this upper wall 13 further from this.

Therefore by improving the length L of this groove 33, can reduce the quality of this upper wall 13 and reduce the center of gravity of this bar head.Similarly, by increasing length L, reduced the moment of inertia of this bar head with respect to the axis of shaft.

In fact, the length of this groove 33 can comprise the 10-90% of the total length of this upper wall 13.Its diameter is 3 millimeters levels.

As previously mentioned, in same bar group, these feature grooves are different for the different club in same group.

Therefore, as Fig. 8 a, shown in 8b and the 8c, can change at actual bar group further groove number.Therefore, the bar head 40 of the Long Irons corresponding to numbers several 2 has 5 groove 41-45 that are implemented in its upper wall 13.Point out that in passing these different grooves have different length.

Middle club for example is that to be illustrated in number number among Fig. 8 b be 5 club 46, only comprises 3 grooves 47,48,49.These grooves 47-49 can be that the groove 41,42,43 of 2 club is identical with number number, but they also can be different.

With number number of Fig. 8 a is that the center of gravity of groove 41-45 of 2 club 40 is identical, and the center of gravity of 3 grooves 47,48,49 roughly is arranged in the same position of this upper wall 13 relatively.Be that 2 iron and number number are that the minimizing of the groove quantity among 5 the iron shows that uniquely G46 moves up along center of gravity G40 on the vertical direction roughly promptly at number number.At this center of gravity G40 shown in Fig. 8 b, G46 accurately illustrates, but exemplaryly simply illustrates.

Similarly, being illustrated in number number among Fig. 8 c is that 9 club 50 only has a groove 51.The center of gravity that this groove 51 has and number number be 2 and number number be the same position that the center of gravity of the groove of 5 club 40,46 is arranged in relative this upper wall 13.Number number is that therefore generally perpendicularly the center of gravity G46 and the G40 of club 40,46 move relatively for the center of gravity G50 of 9 bar head.

Certainly, different groove 41-45,47-49,51 size and dimension can be differently change from a club to another club in same bar group or are roughly the same for the club of some consecutive number number.

Fig. 9 a, 9b and 9c illustrate the modification of the embodiment of another group of club.Therefore, be to be the Long Irons of 2 iron such as number number at the club 53 shown in Fig. 9 a.This iron has a groove 54, and this groove is located towards the bar head heel of this bar head slightly.The distance that the axis of shaft 55 and the center of gravity 56 of this groove 54 are separated is called d2.

Number number is that 5 middle iron also has the identical groove 58 of groove 54 that a volume and number number are 2 club, and the bar head 57 of this centre iron is illustrated among Fig. 9 b.What the axis 55 of the center of gravity 59 of this groove and shaft was separated is 2 iron calculated distance d2 apart from d5 greater-than sign number.Therefore the axis 55 of the center of gravity G57 of this bar head 57 more close shaft with respect to number number is the center of gravity G53 of 2 club.In addition, this center of gravity moves towards top, because the gradient of upper wall 13, this groove 58 is than the position height of groove 54.

Equally, it is that 9 club has a groove 61 that its bar head 60 is illustrated in number number among Fig. 9 c, and this groove 61 and number number are that the groove 56,58 of 2 and 5 iron has identical volume.With the center of gravity of this groove 61 and axis 55 separate apart from d9 greater than at number number be measure on 5 the club apart from d5.Therefore this number number is that the center of gravity G60 of 9 bar head moves horizontally with respect to center of gravity G57 and G53 towards bar head heel.

Another kind makes alternate manner that the position of centre of gravity of clubs different in a club group changes shown in Figure 10 a-10c.Or rather, number number is that the bar head 65 of 2 iron has 5 groove 66-70, and this groove is distributed on the whole upper wall 13 of this bar head 65.But analogy ground, number number are the bar head 71 of 5 club also has 5 groove 72-76, also is to be distributed on the upper wall 13.Each groove 72-76 has slightly the volume less than the corresponding grooves 66-70 of bar head 65.Therefore, the overall volume of all these grooves is to be that 2 iron is lower with respect to this number number on 5 the iron at this number number.Therefore number number is that the center of gravity G65 of the bar head of 2 club is arranged on below the center of gravity G71 that this number number is 5 club.

Equally, this number number is that the bar head 77 of 2 club has 5 groove 78-82, and this groove also is distributed on the length of this upper wall 13.Each groove 78-82 has the volume less than the groove of the club of lower number, therefore shows the center of gravity G71 with respect to the club of lower number, and more increase the position of this center of gravity of G65 G77.

Certainly, in the quantity of groove, the different embodiment that change on the position of each groove and the volume can make up in same bar group, so that the mass centre changing of each bar head of optimization.

Be from the above-mentioned advantage that can draw, allow to be suitable for the Mass Distribution of periphery of bar head of each iron of this bar group, so that its performance of optimization, kept the favorable rigidity of this iron simultaneously according to the bar head of club of the present invention.

The mode that Mass Distribution is optimized can change in same bar group in a different manner, so that the performance of each iron of optimization.

Claims

1. the golf clubs group of one " iron " type, each club has a bar head (1), described bar head (1) has a posterior face, described posterior face has the cavity (4) of the outer perimeter (6) that is limited by a plurality of walls, described a plurality of wall is at least one lower wall (7) and upper wall (13) of forming the bottom, described upper wall (13) has a plurality of surfaces, i.e. a rear surface (16), one upper surface (14), one lower surface (15) and some side surfaces (17 in the face of this cavity (4), 18), wherein, a plurality of clubs of described group have the bar head, this bar head has at least one groove (20-23) of implementing in this upper wall (13), this groove (20-23) leads to the single surface of described upper wall (13), and away from this upper surface and lower surface (14,15), and in this bar group, this groove in the upper wall (13) of this bar head or the volume and/or the position of these grooves change for different clubs, so that the position of centre of gravity of each bar head also is different for different clubs.

2. golf clubs group according to claim 1, wherein, this groove (20-23) leads to the rear surface (16) of this upper wall (13).

3. golf clubs group according to claim 1, wherein, this groove (33) leads to the lateral surface (17) of this upper wall.

4. golf clubs group according to claim 3, wherein, this groove (33) leads to the lateral surface (17) of this upper wall that is positioned at this bar head rod head toe side.

5. golf clubs group according to claim 2, wherein, this groove (20-23; 33) on the direction substantially parallel, be elongated with the longest dimension of this upper wall (13).

6. according to claim 2 or 3 described golf clubs groups, wherein, this groove is columned.

7. golf clubs group according to claim 1, wherein, this groove is filled with low density material.

8. golf clubs group according to claim 1, wherein, the volume of this groove is expressed as between the 0.4-5% of volume of this bar head.

9. according to each described golf clubs group of claim 1-8, wherein, with this groove or these grooves (54,58,61) distance of separating with bar neck (2) (d2, d5, d9) from Long Irons be lower number iron to Shot Irons promptly the iron of height number be increased.

10. according to each described golf clubs group of claim 1-8, wherein, the distance that this groove or these grooves and bar neck (2) are separated from Long Irons be lower number iron to Shot Irons promptly the iron of height number be reduced.

11. according to each described golf clubs group of claim 1-8, wherein, all groove (66-70; 72-76; Volume 79-82) is reduced from the Long Irons to the Shot Irons.

12. according to each described golf clubs group of claim 1-8, wherein, fluted (41-45; 47-49; 51) quantity is done from long iron and is reduced to Shot Irons.

13., wherein, this groove or these grooves are changed along with different clubs with the distance that the upper face (14) of this upper wall (13) separates according to each described golf clubs group of claim 1-8.